ABSTRACT
It is certainly true that the ultimate source of the precursors of the essential fatty acids (EFA) is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids produced only in plants (largely linoleic, 18:2ω6, and α-linolenic, 18:3ω3). However, the same cannot be said with accuracy for the eicosanoids. With only a few minor exceptions, the eicosapolyenoic acids neccessary as eicosanoid precursors are synthesized only in the animal organism. Thus, for the purpose of the present discussion, it is necessary only to consider those biosynthetic pathways common to animals. It will also be of importance to have some idea of the relative amounts of these precursors likely to be present in different dietary sources.
